How to Use Colons Correctly

Our use of grammar influences the way people perceive us even before they meet us. Colons are one of the most commonly misused punctuations of the English language. A colon is two equally sized dots centered on the same vertical line. The use of a colon signals the reader that something important follows.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time
• Patience

1. Use a colon to introduce lists. My mom gave me three options: apologize, replace it, or go home.

2. Use a colon to signal the reader that the second complete sentence explains the first sentence. Her motive for changing seats was obvious: she had a crush on Tom since grade school.

3. Use a colon to introduce an explanation. We had to run to the store: the car broke down.

4. Use a colon to introduce long quotations after a complete sentence. My favorite quote is by Confucius: “Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.”

5. Use a colon to put a emphasis on a name or description that follows a complete sentence. We were all surprised to see the star of the movie: Brad Pitt.

6. Use a colon to separate titles and subtitles. ABC: the Alphabet.

7. Use a colon to show time. The movie starts at 7:15 pm.

8. Use a colon to cite a law or Biblical passage. One of the most well known bible verses is John 3:16.

9. Use a colon at the end of salutation. Dear John:

10. Use a colon to to separate the place of publication and the publisher. Los Angles: ABC publishing

Tips & Warnings

• When typing only use one space after a colon.
• Don't use colons to separate phrases if one or both of phrases cannot stand on its own.

Resources

• Colons: when to use them
• Colon Rules
• The Colon

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